Even I have to admit that wandering around town looking for an unguarded WiFi signal blows, and I’m not about to drop the cost of a USB internet stick. My laptop cost enough on its own, thanks. Luckily, it would seem Apple’s looking into it, recently filing patents for a telephonic laptop featuring a magnetically coupled antenna. Mobile communications being what they are, this would only seem to make sense, and in terms of tech, is a great step forward. But on the other hand, as a designer, I’m left wondering. If Apple has a commitment to one thing, and one thing only, that is form factor. An Apple product…

Skype has launched a new version of its client software for Apple’s iPhone 3G allowing users who have downloaded the app to make calls to other Skype users on the 3G network. The best part? The service remains free at least until the end of this year. Skype announced on Sunday that the new app is available for the 3G iPhone and that Skype-to-Skype calls over Wi-Fi will remain free until after the end of 2010. Skype has also said that they have not yet decided on what to charge for the calls. With the new software, owners of the iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and the second and third generations of the iPod…

Skype has finally given the green light to voice calls over 3G with the new version of its Skype for iPhone software. iPhone users rejoice, you can finally actually use Skype’s software to make VoIP phone calls. Naturally, the news comes with the catch that it’s gonna cost you. Skype-to-Skype calls will be free – but only until the end of August. After that, a “small monthly charge” will be applied. So, to clarify, you spend a load of money on an iPhone, pay AT&T for data over 3G, then you pay Skype for the capability to make these calls.. on your phone. Confused? Not nearly as confused as your accountant…

Attention US iPhone users — it looks like AT&T and Apple are at last making good on their long-held promise to offer tethering support through the iPhone, but not until the release of iPhone OS 4.0 later this summer. This illustration comes from inside the iPhone OS 4.0 beta that’s circulating at present, though the number given takes you to a recorded message saying “AT&T doesn’t offer tethering at this time”. Tethering — the process of using your iPhone as a 3G modem with your Mac — is really useful when traveling, or as a home back-up Internet connection for when your broadband goes…

Everyone loves a good hack. There are good hacks, bad hacks, clever hacks, then there’s just plain old hacking. John Benson purchased a 3G iPad and traveled home to the UK hoping to be able to simply switch SIM cards. The one problem? The 3G iPad takes a MicroSIM card, which aren’t yet available in the UK. Some might have been stumped. Some might have given up. Not John. With a chopping board and cleaver, John literally hacked his way out of a pickle. On his site he provides step by step instructions with photos, but doesn’t recommend everyone try this. John is now happily using his 3G iPad on the Vodafone…

Unlike its decidedly corporate brethren, the Blackberry Pearl was the kind of phone you would see everyone using, from teenagers on the bus to seniors at the mall. The little candybar smartphone that could was RIM’s first real foray into the consumer market. So while the announcement of a new Pearl 3G seems a bit unexciting, it’s likely that soon, millions of people around the world will be carrying one of these new Pearls with them. Perhaps the most surprising change here is the availability of a Pearl with a standard T9 keypad, in additional to the Pearl’s traditional 20-key ‘it’s kinda’ like QWERTY…